Countess of Wessex breaks Diamond Journey at RAF Halton

| Published: Sep 28th 2016

The Countess prepares to ride

RAF Halton was honoured by the presence of Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex recently.

The Countess stayed at Halton overnight during her marathon charity cycle ride from Edinburgh to London. The ride formed part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Diamond Challenge, a series of events taking place to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

After a restful night in Halton House Officers’ Mess, the Countess and her team of support riders and road crew set off for the final leg of their epic journey joined by gold medallist Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey. Children from local schools, Duke of Edinburgh award participants and the Thanet Air Training Corps Band joined the Deputy Station Commander, Wing Commander Karen Moran, to give Her Royal Highness a warm send off as she began the final 38 miles to Buckingham Palace.

Before departing Her Royal Highness thanked Officers’ Mess staff for looking after her team so well, she also made time to chat to the children that came to wave her off.

The event was overseen by Flight Lieutenant Guy Sumner, the Station’s VIP Visits Officer. Guy said, “It was an honour for RAF Halton to have chance to contribute to such a worthwhile event. I have had the privilege of supporting a number of Royal visits during my career; they require hard work and careful planning but are always hugely rewarding. It was a pleasure to meet Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex, and we were all hugely impressed by how easy she made a 450 mile bike ride seem!”